The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) is taking a proactive stance against quackery in the health sector. Community education and awareness have been identified as key tools to control this menace. At a stakeholder’s engagement meeting titled, ‘Combating quackery in the health sector: Strengthening stakeholders’ collaboration and regulatory oversight,’ experts emphasized the importance of community collaboration, access to quality health services, professional regulation, and vigilant health facility monitoring.
Former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Akin Osibogun, stressed the significance of maintaining reliable intelligence networks to curb quackery effectively. He commended Lagos State Government for establishing agencies like HEFAMAA to tackle this issue.
Dr. Abiola Idowu, Executive Secretary of HEFAMAA, emphasized the need to expand stakeholders’ engagement to include policemen, who play a crucial role in combating quackery. The meeting aimed to foster better collaboration with critical players in the health sector to curb this menace in the state.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, reiterated that combating quackery is everyone’s responsibility and requires collective efforts.
To combat quackery effectively, it is essential to collaborate with neighboring states like Ogun State, as some incidents often occur in suburbs connecting Lagos and Ogun State.
The government is urged to work closely with health professional associations as they play a vital role in identifying quacks within communities.
Together, the health sector stakeholders are united in their determination to root out quackery and ensure quality healthcare for all.
